Luminous ScienceGetting Started - Parts, Pieces, Resources

Developing Art-Science-Computational Nexus Learning EnvironmentsThe Luminous Science project is an exploration into how art, science, and technology can come together in a synergistic way. To get the creative juices flowing we show some sample projects that have been created in workshops and classrooms by students and teachers, showing how these subjects may come together to enhance one another. However, below that example, you will find a whole series of programs, videos, and inspirations we have developed in the hopes they can be used to spur new ideas and creations - they are not meant to be comprehensive, but show only a sample of what is possible. Our prototype lantern also provides an example of a completed sample lantern.

Workshops and Classroom ImplementationsWe have built luminous science lanterns with students as young as Grade 1 through adults, as well as with disciplinary teachers. These workshops encourage participants to think about the intersections of art, science, and technology. Students come away with a beautiful lantern, some computer programming experience, and hopefully some new ideas about the integration of the arts and sciences.

Most recently we have run a workshop for middle and high school teachers across art, science (chemistry, environmental science, physics), and computer science disciplines. In addition to building lanterns, we began to co-design unit plans for these teachers to implement in their classrooms in the upcoming school year. As teachers start to implement this project in their classrooms we have been developing a series of resources (below) which show some examples of different aspects of this project.

These examples explore what is possible with the micro:bit programming and neopixel displays within a lantern. Each example has a micro:bit program and a video (or two!) of that program implemented in a lantern. We provide a description of the program and what computer science topics this program might cover. The video then shows how this program might look in a Nebuta style lantern.

These examples investigate what it is like to paint with the traditional Nebuta style materials, using inspiration from natural and garden phenomena. Each example provides images of sketches, painting, and the effects of light (including a video). In addition to the pictures, there is a description of the painting style and its influence from some scientific or natural phenomena.

These examples examine plant processes and how sensor-data relates to the process. Each contains an infographic that describes the plant biology and chemistry behind an important process in the plant. Accompanying each infographic is an example code of one possible way to capture the scientific phenomena using the raw sensor data.